A few weeks ago, Martina took part in the Young Friends of the Earth Europe (YFoEE) Gathering at the European Youth Centre in Budapest, Hungary. This event marked a turning point for the YFoEE network, which has been relatively inactive in recent years. Over four days, Young Friends of the Earth Members from across Europe came together to exchange ideas, strengthen their skills, and set the course for a renewed youth movement within Friends of the Earth, one that drives climate and environmental justice.
Fossil Free Malta
What is our vision?
The burning of coal, oil, and gas, as well as other human practices such as intensive agriculture and deforestation contribute to the generation of excessive greenhouse gases that pollute the atmosphere and lead to climate change impacts across the globe. Not only is climate change posing significant environmental issues, but it is increasing social inequality within and between countries.
We need to move away from fossil fuels – oil, coal and gas – as soon as possible. New fossil fuel infrastructure is incompatible with global, EU, and national carbon emission reduction targets. The proposed Melita gas pipeline would lock Malta into a fossil fuel future. We need to ensure that any public investment is compatible with climate targets, and avoid funding any new fossil fuel infrastructure at all costs.
Our country should prepare for a climate proof future and move away from fossil fuels as fast as possible. We need to ensure there is a plan for a gas phase-out by 2035 latest. In the short term, we need a new Renewable Energy Policy, outlining the pathway to zero emissions and clean renewable energy for the Maltese Islands.
5 reasons to stop using gas as a fuel
Today, Malta’s energy demands are primarily met through the use of gas-fired turbines using liquefied natural gas (LNG), a polluting fossil fuel. It’s imported to Malta via marine carriers, which involves considerable energy for its transport and contributes to significant greenhouse gas emissions throughout its lifecycle.
Swipe the carousel to find out more about pitfalls of using gas:
A gas pipeline to Malta?
We need to move away from fossil fuels as soon as possible. New fossil fuel infrastructure is incompatible with global, EU, and national carbon emission reduction targets. This includes the proposed Melita gas pipeline, which would lock Malta into a fossil fuel future! We should invest in the energy of the future, not of the past!
Watch the video below to learn more about the proposed Melita gas pipeline, and why we should push for investment in renewables, energy savings and community energy instead.
5 Reasons Why Hydrogen Is Not a Green Fuel
Since the EU will not finance purely fossil fuel infrastructure any longer, the Melita TransGas Pipeline was rebranded as a ‘hydrogen-ready’ pipeline. However, experts state it is not that straightforward to make gas infrastructure suitable for hydrogen transport. It is a much smaller molecule and needs at least 3 times more energy to be transported through a pipeline, as well as posing greater risks for leakages. We need to ensure that hydrogen is not used as a veil to greenwash the fossil gas pipeline project.
While hydrogen may be presented as a type of ‘green’ energy, currently 99% of hydrogen is produced from fossil fuels. The main type of hydrogen available today, ‘grey’ hydrogen, is created via steam-reforming from gas or coal – yes, fossil fuels! ‘Blue’ hydrogen is based on the same process as ‘grey’, but includes carbon capture and storage (CCS) mechanisms to reduce carbon emissions, which have yet to be proven to work.
Swipe the carousel to find out why hydrogen is not a green fuel at all:
Climate publications
News
Supporting Young People with Climate Anxiety: From Overwhelm to Empowerment
In June 2025, a group of youth workers, mental health professionals, and environmental educators gathered in Friends of the Earth Malta Floriana office as part of the CALM-EY (Climate Anxiety Learning and Mental Health for European Youth) project. This training aimed to explore how professionals can better support young people experiencing climate anxiety, a growing emotional response to the ecological crisis.
Our feedback on Malta’s Social Climate Plan
The jagged cliffs of the island are home to the Yelkouan shearwaters (Puffinus Yelkouan, MT: Garnija). This species of seabird is a regional endemic, breeding only in the Mediterranean basin. Almost 10% of the total population nests on the Maltese Islands, of which around 150-220 pairs are estimated on Kemmuna.
Object to the Destructive Żabbar–Smart City Bypass Before It’s Too Late
An €8 million bypass in Żabbar threatens farmland, trees and heritage zones. Object before 13 June to protect our environment and stop this unnecessary destruction.
Malta’s Transport Future: Spotlight on Micromobility
Monday 16 September marked the start of European Mobility Week (EMW) – the European Commission’s yearly awareness-raising campaign on sustainable urban mobility. However, we observed complete radio silence from our government, when the urgency to promote sustainable mobility in Malta has never been greater.
Why We Oppose the Melita Gas Pipeline
The Aarhus Convention is an international treaty (agreement) that gives people and NGOs three key rights when it comes to environmental matters:
Access to Information – People have the right to know about pollution, land use, and environmental risks.
Public Participation – Citizens should have a say in decisions about major projects, policies, and laws.
Access to Justice – If authorities fail to protect the environment, people should be able to challenge them in court.
Explore the MICROMOBI Platform: Small Wheels, Big Change
The project is aimed to develop skills and raise awareness on the topic of micromobility, smallhuman or electric powered mobility devices suitable for short urban trips.
Seminar on Micromobility and the Future of Transport in Malta
The project is aimed to develop skills and raise awareness on the topic of micromobility, smallhuman or electric powered mobility devices suitable for short urban trips.
Can you fit climate emotions in a tool box?
European Week for Waste Reduction (EWWR) is a vital annual initiative aimed at promoting sustainable resource and waste management practices - Learn how Friends of the Earth Malta (FoEM) participated in this year's events!
Micromobility in Cyprus : Sharing Best Practices and Inspiring Change in Limassol
The project is aimed to develop skills and raise awareness on the topic of micromobility, smallhuman or electric powered mobility devices suitable for short urban trips.
International Zero Waste Day – What That Means for You
Clothing and textile businesses can do their part by designing products that are durable, repairable, and recyclable. They can make efforts to reduce production volumes, use sustainable materials, and minimise use of chemicals.
The MICROMOBI Toolkit: Empowering Sustainable Urban Transport
The project is aimed to develop skills and raise awareness on the topic of micromobility, smallhuman or electric powered mobility devices suitable for short urban trips.